Chapter 55
Lyssa
The centaur bows her head, and I take a hesitant step forward.
She’s breathtaking.
She has a sleek mahogany mare’s body, smaller but more agile-looking than the warriors we saw at the feast. Her pale white chest is clad in shining steel armor with massive shoulder plates laid over leather gauntlets that wrap around her arms. More shining plates are strapped across her human waist, hanging down to protect her flanks, and two long scabbards run behind them.
But most striking is the mane of white hair flowing from her steel headband down her back and spilling over her dark coat, matching her tail perfectly.
“How did you—”
“Captain Lyssa. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hylonome-Nestor-Cyllarus.” Her serious face barely moves as she speaks, and I can’t make out what color her eyes are. I take another step forward.
“Erm,” I say.
“You may call me Nestor.”
I nod. “How did you get on my ship?”
“I have Artemis’s blessing.”
I swallow. If a goddess has sanctioned this visit, the centaur is going to get what she wants. “And how can I help you?”
Nestor’s tail flicks. “Actually, it is I who can help you. You and your crew were present when my love was slain.” A sick feeling swamps my gut as I work out what she must mean.
The only centaur I have seen killed was at the feast. “Hercules killed Cyllarus, my husband, and you want Hercules dead. I am here to help you.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Nestor, I truly am. I know how it feels to lose somebody you love.” I look down a moment, forcing the sound of the centaur’s legs snapping out of my mind. Please let her husband have been one of the other two poor creatures, I pray silently. “How can you help us?” I ask.
“I will join your crew and make sure Hercules dies during the Trials.”
I blink. “Join the crew?”
Nestor says nothing.
“But…” I can’t take on another crew member. I don’t even want Alexios on board, and a centaur simply won’t fit on the Alastor.
“I can fight. I have knowledge passed down over many generations, some of which I can share with you. I have the favor of Artemis.”
I take a long breath. “I need to talk with my crew first.”
Nestor nods. “I will return in one hour.” She vanishes with a small flash of light, and Len lets out a long whistle.
“Wow.”
“Wow,” echoes Alexios, still in the longboat. Lucas is staring, wide-eyed, at the spot she was standing in.
“Was that a centaur?” Epizon is jogging across the deck toward me. “Captain, my eyes weren’t playing tricks, were they? Was a centaur just on the ship?”
“Yes.” I don’t know what else to say.
“What did she want?” Epizon’s eyes are alive with excitement as he reaches me.
“Her husband was killed at the feast. She wants to join the crew to try to get revenge on Hercules. By killing him.”
Epizon’s mouth falls open. “A centaur on our crew! Captain, this is incredible!”
“Slow down, Epizon. The Alastor is at capacity. We don’t have the space for a centaur on board. We don’t have the supplies for another crew member. We don’t know anything about her.” I shoot a look at Alexios. “And she hasn’t earned a place on this crew.”
“Lyssa, if anyone has earned a place fighting at your side, it’s somebody who has lost a loved one to Hercules.” Epizon used my name instead of captain, in his excitement. I frown at him.
“Her desire for revenge might make her do something stupid,” I say.
Alexios coughs, and I glare at him.
“Something to say, peacock?”
“Just a tickle. In my throat.” He smiles. Barely moving his lips, he adds, “You’re not stupid. But you are obsessed.”
“Obsessed? How in Hades do you think you would feel if your whole family were—”
Epizon cuts me off. “That’s my point—the centaur knows exactly how you feel, captain,” he says, visibly trying to suppress his excitement but failing. “Centaurs are some of the best fighters in Olympus, and not prone to acting irrationally, but her motivation will be unquestionable.”
“Where, exactly, do you suggest she sleeps?” I ask him sardonically.
He glances around the deck and frowns. “Cargo deck?”
“With our other unexpected guest?” I mutter.
“Unwise,” says Len.
Everyone falls silent, and I drag my hand over my face as Epizon stares at me, hopefully.
This is honestly the last thing I need right now. But how the fuck am I supposed to say no?
“I’ll think about it. Now, everybody back to work. Get on with ruining my ship.”